DCLM Daily Manna 3 February 2023
KEY VERSE:-“The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.” – (Lamentations 1:18)
TEXT: Lamentation 1:12-22 (KJV)
12 Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.
13 From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day.
14 The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.
15 The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.
16 For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.
17 Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the Lord hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.
18 The Lord is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
19 I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.
20 Behold, O Lord; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.
21 They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me.
22 Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
A police van drove recklessly into a court premises and suddenly pulled up. Two police constables alighted and went to the back of the van to bring out a young man that had been accused of a crime. As the officers were dragging the man into the court with handcuffs on his hands, he was passionately begging and pleading with them to forgive and be merciful unto him.
Unfortunately, one of the prosecuting police officers told him in an unruffled mood that he has not offended them, but rather, his offence was against the state. So, his pleas should be directed to the court’s judge, the mouthpiece of the state, who alone can pardon or punish him.
The above Bible text which reveals Zion’s fruitless appeal for rescue and comfort is part of the lamentations of Prophet Jeremiah, who wept with a heavy heart over Jerusalem. The personified city with a desperate cry that people should look at her with pity and compassion because of her untold woes and calamities was Jerusalem. She admitted that the tribulations were occasioned by her sins and rebellion against God’s commandments.
Sin brings sorrow, shame and suffering. It brings reproach and anguish. It is a precursor of failure and defeat. Nevertheless, God provides antidote to this, which is repentance through godly sorrow (Proverbs 28:13). He does not want the death of any sinner; rather, He delights in heartfelt repentance which brings forgiveness. He alone is the One who can pardon or punish the sinner.
Like the accused boy being taken to court in handcuffs, it is vain to cry to a human priest or preacher for forgiveness. It is only God that can pardon or condemn a sinner. If you confess and forsake your sins, and accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour, you will receive pardon.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Sin begets suffering and servitude.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 12-13
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – The Wages of Rebellion – by Pastor W.F Kumuyi
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Daily Manna 3 February 2023
